“It would have been interesting to see what kinds of reactions from the rest of the Hawaiian Islands you would have gotten if you had used ‘ice shave’ in the article,” Ken Fujii said. “Only Big Islanders would understand the obscure term.” Read more
‘Honolulu’s celebration of the new year, culminating at the stroke of midnight, took most of the vociferous energy out of the city’s population, with the result that yesterday was a very quiet and subdued holiday,” The Honolulu Advertiser wrote. Read more
I take a lot of things for granted. For instance, the major road around Oahu is called Kamehameha Highway. I assumed that was always its name. Read more
My last column of the year gives out my annual Rearview Mirror Awards to people who have made a difference in Hawaii and in the world. Here are this year’s honorees. Read more
Every December, I look back on the year and catalog things I learned while writing this feature. There is so much that it usually takes two columns. Here’s part two. Read more
Writing this column is a joy to me. I love learning about Hawaii history and the amazing people, places and organizations that make us so much more than a tiny speck in the vast Pacific Ocean. Read more
I wrote about the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook a while ago, and it reminded Ken Fujii of his first family road trip from Hilo to Kona back in 1944. Read more
Today is Thanksgiving, and one of the things I am thankful for is the Aloha United Way, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Read more
The men’s volleyball program begins in January, and season tickets are available now. Read more
My crack researcher, Steve Miura, told me about Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, who was performing at the Blue Note last week. Read more
Dr. John Corboy has had an interesting life. He witnessed martial law in Hawaii during World War II, went to Saint Louis School after being kicked out of Punahou School, and founded Hawaii’s largest ophthalmology practice. Read more
My predecessor at the newspaper and mentor, Bob Krauss, used to write a column of several short pieces called In One Ear. In tribute to him today, I thought I’d emulate that. Read more
Wendy Tolleson told me recently that her father, Navy Capt. Robert T. Tolleson, was the primary recovery officer for all the Gemini and Apollo space missions in the Pacific. Read more
A new movie is out about the life of singer/actress Judy Garland. My intrepid researcher, Steve Miura, found out about one visit she made to Hawaii. Read more
From the 1950s through the 1980s, one of the biggest jewelers on Oahu was Security Diamond & Conrad Jewelers. Read more
This week I thought I’d write about some of my favorite Maui stories. Here are a few interesting things about the Valley Isle. Read more
On the Kukui Street side of Central Middle School is a sign in big letters that says “Keelikolani School.” The site has an interesting history, but was it ever named Keelikolani? I wondered. Read more
I recently heard from my friend Gene Gelfo, who was one of the original tenants at King’s Alley in Waikiki. His Royal Peddler shop was a delight to visitors and locals alike for 47 years. Read more
Don Chapman has a new book out titled “The Goodfather: The Life of Larry Mehau.” Chapman is the former editor of “MidWeek” and has been a journalist in Hawaii for 40 years. Read more
I’m happy to have known Shiro Matsuo as a friend. We used to have lunch every month or so before he died in 2012 at age 93. Read more
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